Count Me In

Mark Lo's 2021 documentary is about the place of the drums in rock music. Drummers from different generations speak; each points to someone before them and the documentary follows that chain. The idea is the invisibility of the instrument. It sits at the back on stage, keeps time on the record and is mentioned last in conversation; the documentary argues why that position exists and what actually carries the music. The narrative proceeds through technique and influence rather than chronology. The archive material is wide and those speaking explain by playing. The tone is celebratory with almost no critical section. Who it's for: those interested in rock history and instrument-focused documentary. Who it's not for: viewers expecting a comprehensive history; the documentary stays limited to the names it chose.